United States

ENGWE Launches Eagle E-Dirt Bike, Backed by 14-Year-Old Rider

New York – September 18, 2026 -- ENGWE has launched Eagle, its first electric dirt bike, priced at $899 against a $1,199 MSRP, with the first 300 orders receiving a $276 riding kit that includes gloves, knee pads, goggles and a U-lock.

The bike marks ENGWE's move beyond commuter e-bikes into off-road recreation, aimed at riders looking to explore trails rather than pavement.

A 14-year-old with Tourette syndrome becomes the face of the launch

ENGWE named Carter Metcalfe, 14, as Eagle's product ambassador. Metcalfe, who has Tourette syndrome, has said mountain biking gave him confidence and a way to express himself as he faced challenges growing up. He now shares his story to encourage other young riders to take on new challenges.

Beverage Mogul Lance Collins Launches ZenWTR, a Plastic-Negative Alkaline Water Brand

Beverly Hills, Calif. – September 18, 2026 -- Beverage entrepreneur Lance Collins has launched ZenWTR, a vapor-distilled alkaline water brand with a pH of 9.5, now sold at Whole Foods Market, Walmart, Amazon, QuikTrip, Kwik Trip, Bristol Farms and Erewhon, with H-E-B locations adding it starting October 5.

Collins, who previously founded FUZE, NOS, BODYARMOR and CORE Hydration, built ZenWTR through vapor distillation followed by ionization via electrolysis to hit the 9.5 pH mark. A proprietary blend of calcium, potassium and magnesium is added afterward for taste.

The flagship bottle is made entirely from recycled ocean-bound plastic

ZenWTR's signature 20-ounce bottle uses 100% recycled, certified ocean-bound plastic collected from coastal areas with limited recycling infrastructure. The company says this approach creates income opportunities for local collectors while diverting material from the ocean.

Renting Beats Buying in Every Major U.S. Metro, Zillow Finds

Seattle – September 18, 2026 -- Renters across the United States are paying $1,066 less per month than typical home buyers, according to Zillow's latest Rental Market Report, with the gap holding in all 50 largest U.S. metros.

Typical rent sits at $1,948 versus a $3,014 mortgage payment

The Zillow Observed Rent Index puts typical U.S. rent at $1,948 a month, while the typical new home buyer's monthly payment -- including taxes and insurance -- totals $3,014. That works out to $12,792 a year in savings for renters, a gap Zillow says has widened as mortgage costs rose $140 over the past six months, more than four times the $32 increase in typical rent over the same period.

Arlo Secure 7 Adds AI Threat Detection and Daily Video Recaps

Carlsbad – September 18, 2026 -- Arlo Technologies has launched Arlo Secure 7, a software update that adds AI-driven threat detection and automatic video summaries to its home security cameras, rolling out to subscribers over the next month.

Threat Assessment flags break-ins and fires within seconds

The new Threat Assessment feature scans camera footage to distinguish real emergencies -- break-ins, fire, armed threats, or theft -- from routine activity. When it detects a high-risk event, the system automatically responds, turning on a camera's siren or spotlight, sending urgent alerts that override Mute and do-not-disturb settings, or escalating the situation to a live Safety Agent for possible emergency dispatch. Arlo says the feature is designed to trigger action within seconds of an event being detected.

Smart Thermostats Offer Relief as Oklahoma Energy Costs Jump 26.9%

Tulsa – September 18, 2026 -- Tulsa-area homeowners facing triple-digit September heat followed by sudden cold fronts can cut utility bills using smart thermostats, according to Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric, a home services company based in Glenpool, Oklahoma.

Oklahoma electricity costs have climbed 26.9% in five years

Average residential electricity costs in Oklahoma have risen 26.9% over the past five years, according to Energy Factbook and U.S. Energy Information Administration data. That increase has made energy efficiency a bigger priority for households managing fall's unpredictable temperature swings.

Natural Grocers Opens Appleton Store With Freebies, E-Bike Sweepstakes

September 18, 2026 – Appleton, WI – -- Natural Grocers is opening a new store in Appleton, Wisconsin, on Sept. 30, giving the first 150 customers mystery gift cards worth $5 to $500 and the first 500 shoppers a free hand-crafted Ecuadorian drawstring backpack normally valued at $30.

The good4u Crew will kick off the day at 8:15 a.m. with a $2,500 donation to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, followed by a ribbon-cutting with the Fox City Chamber. Doors open at 8:27 a.m.

A prize wheel and sweepstakes run through mid-October

Shoppers can spin a prize wheel between noon and 5 p.m. on opening day. From Sept. 30 through Oct. 14, customers can enter a sweepstakes for prizes including a $1,400 Aventon e-bike and a $500 Natural Grocers gift card, with entry forms available in-store.

TRUBAR and Cha Cha Matcha Launch Matcha Protein Bar and Café Menu

Miami – September 18, 2026 -- Protein bar brand TRUBAR and matcha café chain Cha Cha Matcha have launched a joint collaboration bringing a new limited-edition matcha protein bar, a custom café drink and a protein-boosted cold foam to stores and select café locations.

The Love You So Cha Cha Matcha bar pairs white chocolate with matcha notes.
The new bar delivers 12 grams of plant-based protein and 12 grams of fiber, coated in white chocolate with sweet green tea matcha flavoring. It fits into TRUBAR's existing lineup of 100% plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and seed oil-free bars.

New Campaign Targets Early Warning Signs of Progressive Lung Scarring

Chicago – September 18, 2026 -- The American Lung Association has launched a national campaign to help patients and caregivers recognize the early warning signs of progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF), timed to World Interstitial Lung Disease Day.

PPF describes worsening lung scarring that can occur in people living with an interstitial lung disease (ILD), a group of more than 200 conditions that cause inflammation or scarring of the lungs. Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, said the causes range from autoimmune diseases to environmental or occupational exposures, or remain unknown, but all share the risk that scarring can worsen over time.

Stanford Geneticist's Daily Skincare Pick: A Copper Peptide Gel

Mountain View – – September 18, 2026 -- Yuvan Research Inc. has introduced NEEL Gel, a skincare product built around GHK-Cu, a copper peptide the company says restores collagen in aging skin rather than temporarily masking wrinkles.

Dr. Michael Snyder says the gel is the only skincare product he uses besides moisturizer

Snyder, Stanford's W. Ascherman Professor of Genetics and director of its Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, has used NEEL for more than two years. In a company-produced video, he says small wrinkles "disappeared rather quickly" while larger wrinkles are diminishing more slowly. NEEL's website describes him as looking 25 years younger than his chronological age.

BOOX Launches Three New E Ink Devices Running Android 16

New York – September 18, 2026 -- BOOX has unveiled three new E Ink devices -- the Note Air6 C, Note Mini C, and Palma 3 -- all running Android 16 with built-in Google Play Store access to more than 2 million apps.

The Note Air6 C targets note-takers and readers who want an all-in-one workflow.

Priced at $579.99 and available now, the 10.3-inch color notebook features a Kaleido 3 display with 4096 colors and 300 ppi black-and-white resolution. New V4.3 firmware adds Dual Notes for side-by-side document annotation, an enhanced Calendar Memo with a Lasso tool, and Talk Insights, an AI-powered meeting and audio transcription feature. The device pairs with the included BOOX Pen3 stylus, offering 4096 pressure levels, and an optional keyboard folio that connects via pogo pins and charges through its own USB-C port. It runs on an octa-core 4nm processor with 6GB RAM, 64GB storage, and a 3700mAh battery, weighing roughly 430g at 5.8mm thin.